Folding extension-step.



m. FINGER.

FOLDING EXTENSION STEP. APPLICATION 11.21) nov, 20, 1912,

Patented Apr. 29, 1913.

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ill JL anar- FOLDING EXTENSIOIWSTE P.

Specification of Letters iatent.

Patented Apr. so rare.

Application filed November 20, 1912. Serial No. 7S2,4?1.

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that l, RUDUL-Pll FINGER, a citizen oi the United States, residing at ClllliOlL in the county of vermilion, State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful improvements in holding Extension- Hteps; and i do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to car steps and more particularly to folding steps.

An object of the invention is to provide a car step which may be readily folded upon an upper step or swung to its lower position, as desired.

Another object is to provide a step of this character supported in such manner that it will be securely held in either position and which may he swung by sii'npl v depressing a rod prefirably prpjccting through the platform of the car.

Another objectis to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of the supporting and operating mechanism of a car step of the above stated nature.

With these and other objects in view, my inventionwill be more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying d awings which show a preferred embodiment of my device and then specifically pointed out in the claim which is attached to and forms a partof this application. i

In the drawingsr'Figure 1 is a front; ele-.

- vation of a folding extension step and its supporting and operating mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2- is a vertical sectional view on the line 22 of'Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional View at right angles to Fig. 2, said view being taken on the line of Fig. Fig. 4 is a similar View taken on' the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, in which similar reference numerals designate correspoi'iding parts throughout, l0 designates the extension step, to the rear edge of which are secured the lower ends of the suspending rods 11 having their upper ends secured upon the rod 12 having its opposite end rotatahly, mounted in the guide members 13hctween :which the steps lei secured.

sprocket wheel 15 is secured upon the ereof while a second sprocket Wheel SPI'OCkQi- WllGBlS 16 and 15 and lower as will he clearly understood.

16 is carried upon one end of the upper rod 17 which upper rod is also rotatably mounted through the guide members 13 beneath the platform 18. -A sprocket chain 19 is passed around the sprocket wheels 15 and 16 to rotate the lower rod 12, as will be later clearly understood.

Positioned upon the upper rod 17 a spaced distance from the sprocket Wheel 16 and engaged with the opposite sides of the pinion 19 are the vertical rack bars 20 and 21. The rack bars 20 and 21 project through the platform 18 and are guided in their Vertic-al movement by means of the bracket from one of the guide members 13 and engaging the smooth edges of said rods 20 and 21, thus retaining the rods engaged with the pinion 19'.

In operation, the rod 20 is depressed to cause rotation of thopinion 19 and rod 17 in one direction and thus compel the chain to rotate the sprocket wheel 15 and thus swing the step 10 to its upper position. To swing the step 10 to its lower or extended position, it is simply necessary to depress the rack bar 21, thus causing a reverse rota tion of the pinion 1'9, sprocket chain 19, rpd 12,

lirom the foregoing it will be clearly apparent that I have provided a folding ex tension step and supporting and operating .mechanism therefor, by means of which the step may be readily swung to upper or folded position or to its lower extended position, as desired.

It will be further apparent that the complete device is of extremely simple construction and operation and should any of the parts become Worn or broken they may be readily replaced at a small cost.

IfiWlll be apparent that minor change.

in the details of construction may he made if desired Without in the slightestdegree departing from the spirit of my device.

What I claim is In an extension step, the combination with side members hearing stationary steps therehetween, said side members having upper horizontal edges secured to the opposite ends of a platform, of an upper shattsecured through the side members beneath plot arm, a lower shaft secured to the s incite hers at the lower forward-Kori v u met; suspending rods promising. irons, shallower shaft, an extension step' earried upon, the lower ends of said supporting rods, sprocket wheels carried by said shaft, a sprocket movement ofsa-id rack bar to swing the 10 extension step to its upper position upon thev stationary step, a second rack bar engaged with the pinion and projecting through the platform for rotating the shaft in areverse direction upon downward movement of said second rack bar to return the extension step to its lower position below and forwardly of the stationary step, and means carried by one of the side members for guiding the rack bar.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses.

Gno D. Somme, W A. EDWARDS. 

